Listen, Ladies

Author Susan Quinn joins the podcast to discuss her fascinating book, Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady. Quinn's immense research highlights Roosevelt's relationship with Lorena Hickok, whom she initially encountered when Hickok was working as a reporter. Their relationship has been somewhat lost to history, but Quinn brings their romance and friendship to life in our interview and in the book. Her text is also set to become a TV series.

Hillary Peckham is the co-founder and COO of Etain Health, the first and only all-women founded medical marijuana business in New York. Peckham talks to Listen, Ladies about misconceptions about marijuana, the conditions it can be used to address, and the challenges of running a business focused on a product that is not legal on the federal level.

Journalist Emma Margolin joins the podcast to discuss her reporting on the surge in female candidates for local, state, and national political offices. While the expertise and enthusiasm they bring is essential, Emma's feature article for Politico Magazine delves into the often unexpected challenges they confront. This includes threats and intimidation both in-person and on social media. We discuss how training and recruitment organizations are approaching this issue in the #MeToo era.

Merritt Moore, is a trailblazer in two extremely demanding fields: ballet and quantum physics. On the podcast, she talks to Maryalice about the challenges of pursuing both dreams, why she tried to quit ballet but kept coming back, and how she is working to inspire young girls to think big and outside the box. And an added bonus, Merritt is also committed to making it to outer space and doing the legwork to make it happen.

Washington Post journalist Jessica Contrera joins the podcast to discuss her investigative report into hundreds of untested and newly tested rape kits in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Contrera uncovers the emotional and legal confusion surrounding the data as officials grapple with when and how to contact survivors of sexual violence.

Julie Greene, co-founder and co-director of The Women's Bakery joins the podcast to discuss her organization's approach to providing women in East Africa with the resources and tools to develop small businesses in their communities. By prioritizing health, education, and the economy, The Women's Bakery looks to engage women to independently operate bakeries once they have received the training to do so. On the podcast, Julie shares how the mission came together, the challenges her team has faced along the way, and what how they collaborate with the local community.

Journalist and friend of the pod, Emma Margolin, joins Maryalice to guest co-host this week's edition. The ladies chat with self-described "natural-born extrovert," Whitnie Narcisse, about her role at First Round, an innovative venture capital firm with a key focus on developing meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. Whitnie shares what she's learned about what makes a good match, why you might want more than one mentor, and how listeners can look for mentors to help their own careers thrive.

Luisa Kislinger is a former career diplomat of the Venezuelan Foreign Services, and the founder and director of the women's NGO "Mujeres en Linea." Luisa joins the podcast to discuss the current economic and political situation unfolding in Venezuela, and how the lives of everyday citizens are affected. Former UN Ambassador Samantha Power tweeted that the situation in Venezuela is "flying under the radar in the US." Tune in to understand why the international community should pay attention.

The New York Times' West Africa bureau chief joins the podcast for an insightful interview centered on her reporting in Nigeria. Dionne Searcey has spoken to numerous young women who managed to escape the horrors of Boko Haram, and are now working to overcome challenges and pursue their ambitions. Dionne's work gives voice to girls and women who have proven their heroism and deserve to be heard.

Happy 2018! NYU Scholar Jorge Mora joins Listen, Ladies to talk about his groundbreaking project to bring healthcare services and raise awareness about the importance of health literacy in his home country, Ecuador. His perspectives and experience are highly relevant in the broader conversation about global health and access to care across socio-economic backgrounds and the urban/rural divide.